Ile-Ife Indigenes have suspended their protest on the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and has insisted on a probe.
Gatekeepers News reports that Ile-Ife indigenes, under the aegis of Ife Progressive Forum have alleged that an oath of secrecy was administered on members of the selection committee before the process of selecting a new Vice-Chancellor commenced.
Since the appointment of Prof. Simeon Bamire as the 12th Vice-Chancellor of the university, indigenes of Ile-Ife began protests on the notion that aspirants for the post who are indigenes of the town were schemed out.
Although the group announced the suspension of protest, it, however, called on President Muhammadu Buhari; and the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, to investigate the selection process and ensure justice.
The forum insisted that two indigenes of the town, Profs. Rufus Adedoyin and O. Makinde, got the highest scores during the interview, adding that one of them should have been appointed VC if the process was transparent.
The group’s President, Dr. Gbolagade Famoriyo, while addressing journalists alleged that Makinde had the highest rating among applicants from outside OAU, adding that another indigene, Adedoyin got the best rating within the university.
Famoriyo lamented that the community had tolerated unfair treatment from some elements within the university before the last VC’s appointment.
He further stressed that indigenes were usually denied an opportunity to attain higher posts within the system, while those that had managed to reach good positions were unceremoniously relieved.
According to him, an indigene of the town, Prof. Anthony Elujoba, who filled the post of VC in an acting capacity, though did well while in the saddle, was still being owed his entitlements by the management, forcing him to approach the court on the issue.
“The entire citizens of Ife, home and abroad, are appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari; the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu; and well-meaning Nigerians to come to our rescue and look into the selection process in order for justice to prevail.
“We are not saying it must be an Ife indigene at all cost, but all we are saying is that merit should be the basis for Vice Chancellor’s selection and that human prejudice should not come to play, “Famoriyo concluded.
However, the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olanrewaju, said he was unaware of any oath-taking, adding that all concerned should wait for the outcome of a petition written on the matter.
“There are civilised ways of seeking justice, especially if a process is perceived unjust. We learned that a petition has been written. So let’s wait for the outcome of that. I am not aware there was any oath-taking,” Olanrewaju said.
